Using fabric from old clothers is a great way to learn. That is especially good if your size has changed since you have more than you will need, but it will work for anything. An old tee can become undies... just use the good parts. An old skirt can become a tank or short sleeved top of some kind. Even bed sheets, if you use the 100% cotton sateen kind, will make acceptable things for everyday in the house. The jersey sheets can make pajama pants, tank tops, or tees. Those are my way cheap options for learning on.
Don't sew when you're tired. You will be using the frog stitch (seam ripping). Take the time to think things through. Test your stitches, buttonholes & serger stitches before just sewing away. Don't give up!
Love your advice. One of the best things that happened to me was I bought the first computer Viking sewing machine they offered. The dealer asked me to do a seminar showing the machine and everything it could do including all the stitches. It was a good turnout, I made a little $ but most of all It forced me to learn everything about my new machine that I had about 30 years before it gave up the ghost! I agree a tote bag but better would be a backpack. Boy, what you will learn as a newby. Welcome all new sewers and Stephanie is great as a teacher even her humor!
I am an absolute neophyte at sewing. I've been hand-mending for a few years now thanks to the courage the ladies of CosTube have given me. I'm talking turning crew necks into v-necks, cutting too-short pants (hello, 6 foot crew!) into the most flattering length of Capri, etc. I finally got up the nerve to pull out Grandma's sewing machine because my daughter wants to learn... and it was dead. 😂 So I bought a basic Singer and let it gather dust all spring. But now, I finally sat down and taught myself how to use it! I'm currently doing a few thrift flips for my daughters - turning adult t-shirts and bike shorts into modest skorts, turning a dress into a maxi skirt, etc. Once their wish list is knocked down, my plan is to make a bodice block first. Why? So I only have to buy one "cheater" pattern once, cannibalize it for bodice & skirt block basics, then I can make my own patterns! Yes, I watch too much Closet Historian. Why do you ask? 😂😂 But my next-to-last good bra just snapped its underwire, so I might have to move making the bra VS keeps canceling my next project. 🤦🏻♀️
Yeah 6 foot crew!!!!!! Sounds like you are having a blast with your sewing machine. Super smart idea to have your own block. I did that for pants since that's where I have the most fit issues. Happy sewing! And thanks for watching. ♥️
Great video Stephanie. What I wish I could tell a previous me is seam allowances are crucial. Things won’t fit if you don’t maintain an even seam allowance.
Patterns are only a red line to know a basic shape. So we can make bespoke clothes for are selfs. If you are unsure take your own clothes lay it on top of the pattern and look if it looks like your size and what to make bigger or smaller. Draw your sewing lines so you can folow the line to get the feel of your seamalowens. My mom draw with a grey pensil just the line i had to folow and just say at the start back and forwards at the end back and forward. Pj trousers in nice fabric can be realy good first everyday pair of trousers.
Great advice Stephanie, you learn more from your so called "failures", finish what you start and socialize with other sewists. Those three things are 🔑 🥰
Pyjamas, absolutely! And then it's only a small step from there to a simple skirt or shorts with the same pattern. I'm trying to remember my own journey - mainly one of frustration trying to fit my '6-foot' boobs. I might say 'find one simple pattern and repeat it in different fabrics', because so much energy is spent trying to fit and handle the next pattern and one can feel one is making no progress at all. I make all my own clothes now, because the ones I make look a whole lot more expensive than the ones I can afford to buy!
It think this more than anything else is what draws me to the Closet Historian. She uses one bodice block and skirt block, drafts her own patterns off of those, and goes to town! Her wardrobe is insanely gorgeous and the fit is perfection without mockups!
If you want to know how big a pattern will *really* turn out, check the finished garment measurements. If they're not on the pattern envelope (hello big four!) then measure the pattern pieces and deduct seam allowances to get an idea. Measure a garment you already own and like the fit of to see how they compare, so you know what ball park size you are - for that particular pattern!
110% correct... the only thing I would add is leggings are popular to sew but not as a first time garment... can't wait to hear more... things I wish I knew or learned early that I learned way later... n things I might still need to learn ... thank you for all these wonderful learning opportunities... blessings
I'd add: don't pick a pattern just because it looks cool on the skinny model. If you're going to spend many hours working on a garment, you better be positive it's something you'll wear!
Seriously! I love CosTube because of that! I can watch Abby Cox, who is as busy as me but more petite, or Stephanie Canada, who is roughly my size, or Bianca from the Closet Historian, who is smaller but proportionate to me and see how the clothes look on THEM first. Bianca can kill in her wiggle dresses, but I know the fit and flare will look better on me. 😂
Using fabric from old clothers is a great way to learn. That is especially good if your size has changed since you have more than you will need, but it will work for anything. An old tee can become undies... just use the good parts. An old skirt can become a tank or short sleeved top of some kind. Even bed sheets, if you use the 100% cotton sateen kind, will make acceptable things for everyday in the house. The jersey sheets can make pajama pants, tank tops, or tees. Those are my way cheap options for learning on.
Great ideas ❤️
Don't sew when you're tired. You will be using the frog stitch (seam ripping). Take the time to think things through. Test your stitches, buttonholes & serger stitches before just sewing away.
Don't give up!
Great advice❤️
Love your advice. One of the best things that happened to me was I bought the first computer Viking sewing machine they offered. The dealer asked me to do a seminar showing the machine and everything it could do including all the stitches. It was a good turnout, I made a little $ but most of all It forced me to learn everything about my new machine that I had about 30 years before it gave up the ghost! I agree a tote bag but better would be a backpack. Boy, what you will learn as a newby. Welcome all new sewers and Stephanie is great as a teacher even her humor!
Wow what a great experience Lavada. ❤️
I am an absolute neophyte at sewing. I've been hand-mending for a few years now thanks to the courage the ladies of CosTube have given me. I'm talking turning crew necks into v-necks, cutting too-short pants (hello, 6 foot crew!) into the most flattering length of Capri, etc. I finally got up the nerve to pull out Grandma's sewing machine because my daughter wants to learn... and it was dead. 😂 So I bought a basic Singer and let it gather dust all spring. But now, I finally sat down and taught myself how to use it! I'm currently doing a few thrift flips for my daughters - turning adult t-shirts and bike shorts into modest skorts, turning a dress into a maxi skirt, etc. Once their wish list is knocked down, my plan is to make a bodice block first. Why? So I only have to buy one "cheater" pattern once, cannibalize it for bodice & skirt block basics, then I can make my own patterns! Yes, I watch too much Closet Historian. Why do you ask? 😂😂
But my next-to-last good bra just snapped its underwire, so I might have to move making the bra VS keeps canceling my next project. 🤦🏻♀️
Yeah 6 foot crew!!!!!! Sounds like you are having a blast with your sewing machine. Super smart idea to have your own block. I did that for pants since that's where I have the most fit issues.
Happy sewing! And thanks for watching. ♥️
Great video Stephanie. What I wish I could tell a previous me is seam allowances are crucial. Things won’t fit if you don’t maintain an even seam allowance.
Great point Lisa!
Patterns are only a red line to know a basic shape. So we can make bespoke clothes for are selfs. If you are unsure take your own clothes lay it on top of the pattern and look if it looks like your size and what to make bigger or smaller. Draw your sewing lines so you can folow the line to get the feel of your seamalowens. My mom draw with a grey pensil just the line i had to folow and just say at the start back and forwards at the end back and forward. Pj trousers in nice fabric can be realy good first everyday pair of trousers.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing❤️
I believe Youngster Joey from Pokemon said it best, "I like shorts, they're comfy and easy to wear!"
Great advice Stephanie, you learn more from your so called "failures", finish what you start and socialize with other sewists. Those three things are 🔑 🥰
I totally agree ❤️
And if I'm too lazy to alter it I'll give it to someone smaller. Famously a cloak that came out child sized. Big hit with the 8 year old ..
It always helps to have little ones around😃
@@StephanieRubletz what are considered little ones? Pets??
My Little ones are of the human variety. 5 and 8 yrs.
Pyjamas, absolutely! And then it's only a small step from there to a simple skirt or shorts with the same pattern. I'm trying to remember my own journey - mainly one of frustration trying to fit my '6-foot' boobs. I might say 'find one simple pattern and repeat it in different fabrics', because so much energy is spent trying to fit and handle the next pattern and one can feel one is making no progress at all. I make all my own clothes now, because the ones I make look a whole lot more expensive than the ones I can afford to buy!
Oooh great tip! Make one pattern in several fabrics❤️ love that.
@@StephanieRubletz That would be a cool video: one simple pattern repeated and made increasingly ornate or couture....
It think this more than anything else is what draws me to the Closet Historian. She uses one bodice block and skirt block, drafts her own patterns off of those, and goes to town! Her wardrobe is insanely gorgeous and the fit is perfection without mockups!
Pressing matters! Don't skip this step -
Good call Julee!
If you want to know how big a pattern will *really* turn out, check the finished garment measurements. If they're not on the pattern envelope (hello big four!) then measure the pattern pieces and deduct seam allowances to get an idea. Measure a garment you already own and like the fit of to see how they compare, so you know what ball park size you are - for that particular pattern!
Great point! I find the big four especially often size very different from ready to wear clothes
110% correct... the only thing I would add is leggings are popular to sew but not as a first time garment... can't wait to hear more... things I wish I knew or learned early that I learned way later... n things I might still need to learn ... thank you for all these wonderful learning opportunities... blessings
Good point Cindy! Definately try fitting easier pants before going for leggings❤️ thanks for commenting.
I started with quilting and then bags and then decided to jump on the deep end 2 corsets and a circle skirt later and I'm doing a prom dress
Thank you!
My pleasure! 😁
😀
You are a blessing
Wow thanks so much❤️ and thanks for watching!
I'd add: don't pick a pattern just because it looks cool on the skinny model. If you're going to spend many hours working on a garment, you better be positive it's something you'll wear!
So true! Great advice!
Seriously! I love CosTube because of that! I can watch Abby Cox, who is as busy as me but more petite, or Stephanie Canada, who is roughly my size, or Bianca from the Closet Historian, who is smaller but proportionate to me and see how the clothes look on THEM first. Bianca can kill in her wiggle dresses, but I know the fit and flare will look better on me. 😂